But the commission’s backroom deliberations on pay raises for themselves didn’t involve personnel. Instead, it was a policy matter, pure and simple.

Why might they want to hide their inner-most thoughts? Easy. Because they knew it might be unpopular with many of their constituents, especially those who lost jobs and are struggling to pay bills.

That’s why Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens should look into the matter and add Chatham County to his downstate itinerary sometime soon.

Mr. Olens came to Savannah two years ago to give the City Council a needed lesson about seeing the light in the sunshine law. Commissioners need to have their eyesight checked and adjusted, too.

They also don’t seem to understand that by following a flawed process, any official actions they take can be challenged and potentially tossed out. Tea Party, anyone?

Had the public been privy to everything that Ms. Stone, Mr. Kicklighter and other commissioners said prior to the Dec. 21 vote, flip-flopping would have been near-impossible to pull off.

So why didn’t Mr. Kicklighter demand that all pay-raise deliberations be conducted in open session to keep everyone honest? Indeed, the same question should be asked of Ms. Stone and the other commissioners (Pat Farrell, Priscilla Thomas and James Holmes) who directly put more money into their pockets this year because of their votes.

Commissioners aren’t board members who run a private corporation. They are elected to do the public’s business, which includes taxing and spending. That goes double when it comes to spending more on themselves.

Ms. Stone’s vote against pay raises ultimately didn’t matter. But, by voting against it, she can deflect public criticism and still collect a bigger paycheck.

That may explain Mr. Kicklighter’s ire. Still, he brought this on himself. He and other commissioners collectively flunked the transparency test. He should cork his whine.

And Mr. Olens, meanwhile, should prepare a trip to the Chatham County courthouse.